What the Crypto.com Visa Card is and how to use it

The Crypto.com Visa Card is a debit card issued by Crypto.com that lets you spend cryptocurrency directly at merchants that take Visa. You load the card with crypto from your Crypto.com account, and the card converts it to the local currency at the point of sale. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted — online, in stores, at ATMs — just like a regular debit card.

The card is not a credit card, so you cannot carry a balance or build credit history with it. You spend only what you have already loaded onto the card. Crypto.com offers several versions of the card, each with different rewards rates and features, depending on how much cryptocurrency you hold in your account.

Key Takeaways

  • The Crypto.com Visa Card converts your cryptocurrency to local currency when you make a purchase, so you do not need to sell it separately first.
  • Card features and cash-back rewards vary by tier, and your tier is determined by how much CRO (Crypto.com's native token) you stake in your account.
  • You can withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide, though Crypto.com charges a fee for ATM withdrawals that varies by card tier.
  • The card is issued by a third-party bank, and your funds are held in a custodial account, not directly by Crypto.com.
  • You need a verified Crypto.com account and to meet your country's residency and age requirements to get a card.

Card tiers and what each one offers

Crypto.com offers four main card tiers: Midnight Blue, Ruby Steel, Royal Indigo, and Frosted Rose Gold (for the Icy White and Rose Gold tiers, which are the highest). Each tier requires you to stake a certain amount of CRO tokens in your Crypto.com account. Staking means locking up your crypto for a set period — usually 180 days — in exchange for the card benefits and a percentage return on your stake.

The Midnight Blue card requires no stake and offers basic features like Visa acceptance and ATM access. The Ruby Steel tier requires a stake of 350 CRO and adds cash-back rewards on purchases (typically 2 percent). The Royal Indigo tier requires 3,500 CRO staked and increases cash-back to 3 percent, plus adds perks like airport lounge access and Spotify reimbursement. The highest tiers require much larger stakes and offer higher cash-back rates and additional benefits.

The amount of CRO you need to stake changes based on the market price of CRO, so the dollar amount required shifts over time. You can check the current staking requirement on the Crypto.com app or website before you commit.

How to set up your card and load it with crypto

First, you need a verified Crypto.com account. read the Crypto.com app, create an account with your email, and complete identity verification by uploading a photo ID and a selfie. This process usually takes a few minutes to a few hours.

Once your account is verified, go to the Card section in the app and order your physical card. Crypto.com will mail it to your address; delivery typically takes 5 to 15 business days depending on your location. You will also receive a virtual card number when ready that you can use online while you wait for the physical card.

To load the card, transfer cryptocurrency from your Crypto.com wallet to your card wallet within the app. The app shows your card balance and available crypto. When you make a purchase, the card automatically converts the crypto to your local currency at the current exchange rate. You do not need to manually convert it yourself.

Fees and costs you should know about

Crypto.com does not charge a fee to order or hold the card itself. However, there are costs to be aware of. ATM withdrawals carry a fee that varies by tier — the Midnight Blue card charges 2 percent per withdrawal, while higher tiers charge less or have a set number of free withdrawals per month. International transactions may incur a small currency conversion fee.

If you want to stake CRO to reach a higher tier, you are locking up that money for 180 days. If the price of CRO drops during that period, your stake is worth less when it unlocks. Staking also earns you a return (the rate varies), but that return is not may provide and depends on Crypto.com's terms.

Some card tiers come with perks like Spotify or Netflix reimbursement, but those reimbursements are paid in CRO tokens, not cash, and the value of CRO can fluctuate.

How rewards and cash-back work

Cash-back rewards are paid in CRO tokens, not in dollars or your local currency. The percentage you earn depends on your card tier — higher tiers earn higher percentages. The cash-back is credited to your Crypto.com account within a few days of the purchase.

Because the reward is in CRO, its value changes with the market price of CRO. If you earn 3 percent cash-back in CRO and the price of CRO drops, the dollar value of your reward drops too. You can hold the CRO in your account, sell it, or use it to stake for a higher card tier.

Some card tiers also include perks like airport lounge access, Spotify or Netflix reimbursement, or DoorDash credits. These benefits are usually paid as monthly credits in CRO or as direct reimbursements, depending on the tier.

Security, fraud protection, and what happens if your card is lost

The Crypto.com Visa Card is issued by a third-party bank partner, not directly by Crypto.com. Your card is protected by standard Visa fraud protections, which means you are not liable for unauthorized charges if you report them promptly. The physical card has a chip and PIN for in-person security.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can freeze or cancel it when ready in the Crypto.com app. Your virtual card can also be disabled separately from your physical card. Crypto.com does not hold your funds directly — they are held in a custodial account by a licensed financial institution, which adds a layer of protection.

Your Crypto.com account itself is protected by two-factor authentication (2FA), which you should enable. If someone gains access to your account, they could transfer crypto from your card wallet, so keeping your account find is critical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Crypto.com Visa Card to build credit?

No. The card is a debit card, not a credit card, so it does not report to credit bureaus and will not build your credit history. You spend only what you have loaded onto the card.

What happens to my staked CRO if Crypto.com shuts down?

Your funds are held in a custodial account by a third-party bank, not by Crypto.com itself. If Crypto.com were to shut down, your funds would remain in that custodial account and you would retain access to them, though the process might take time. Check Crypto.com's current terms for details on which bank holds your funds.

Can I withdraw cash from any ATM?

Yes, you can use the card at ATMs worldwide that display the Visa logo. However, ATM withdrawals carry a fee that depends on your card tier. Some tiers offer a limited number of free ATM withdrawals per month, while others charge a percentage of each withdrawal.

What if the price of CRO drops after I stake it?

Your stake is locked for 180 days, and you cannot sell it during that time. If the price drops, the dollar value of your stake is lower when the lock period ends. The staking return you earn may offset some of that loss, but it is not may provide to cover it entirely.

Do I need to pay taxes on cash-back rewards?

Tax treatment of crypto rewards varies by country and your local tax authority. In the United States, the IRS generally treats crypto rewards as taxable income at the time you receive them. Keep records of your rewards and consult a tax professional about your specific situation.